COLUMBUS, Ohio — A group of Italian Americans gathered at City Hall on Monday to mark 70 years since Genoa, Italy, gifted the city a statue of Christopher Columbus and to call for its return to public display.

The statue was removed from outside City Hall in 2020, with Mayor Andrew Ginther saying at the time it didn't represent the city's values. It has remained in storage ever since, drawing ongoing discussion over its fate.

Monday's demonstration coincided with Columbus Day. Advocates carried a cardboard cutout of the statue to City Hall and chanted "bring him back," calling for the monument to be restored to honor their heritage.

"It's personal because the one thing about the Italians, we're still fighting for our heritage, our ancestors, our grandparents, great grandparents that cam

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